RECENT MTSU GRADS CREDIT COLUMBIA STATE FOR SOLID START
Columbia State Alumnae to Begin Pharmacy School in the fall

Columbia State Community College only marked the beginning for two recent Middle Tennessee State University graduates. Amber Lord and Mallori Plunkett have several similar qualities that led them to where they are today.

Both attended Middle Tennessee State University after graduating from Columbia State. They currently work as pharmacy technicians, and both were involved in "EYH" (Expanding Your Horizons) - an annual conference designed for middle and high school girls that spreads awareness on opportunities in math and science-related careers. Their most prevalent similarity, though, is their love for Columbia State and the influence Dr. B.I. Naddy - professor of chemistry for the science and mathematics division - had on them.

"Dr. Naddy was the biggest influence on my pharmacy career," said Lord. "He was very helpful through all of it."

A Lewisburg native, Lord attended Columbia State in 2005 and received an Associate Degree in Pre-Pharmacy in 2007. She now has one year remaining in pharmacy school before she finishes her Bachelor's degree in Health Science with a concentration in Pre-Pharmacy at MTSU.

Lord remembers Dr. Naddy's classes as being challenging, and thinks they prepared her for what was ahead at MTSU. "Naddy's class taught us about hard work," said Lord. "Taking his class taught you that you had to study every day."

Today, Lord works as a pharmacy tech at Wal-Mart. She awaits going to Belmont University, where she will attend Pharmacy school in the fall. She gives credit to Columbia State for being an important step in her education as she smiles and says, "I love Columbia State. If I could have stayed all four years, I would have."

She plans to complete the requirements to receive her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Belmont in 2013.

Plunkett, a native of Santa Fe, attended Columbia State from 2004 until she graduated in 2006 with an Associate of Applied Science. She recently received a Bachelor's degree in General Science and a minor in Health from MTSU.

Columbia State was a great influence on advancing her education. "I loved the close-knit community atmosphere at Columbia State," said Plunkett.

Currently Plunkett works at the Walgreen's as a pharmacy tech. In fall she will start Pharmacy school at Lipscomb University.

Above: (left to right) Amber Lord, Dr. B.I. Naddy, and Mallori Plunkett.